Publications

Our mission is to research into, and contribute to the public debate on, the most important ethical issues of today. Below is a list of our most recent publications, including the recent book 'Enhancing Human Capacities'.

Enhancing Human Capacities

Enhancing Human Capacities is the first to review the very latest scientific developments in human enhancement. It is unique in its examination of the ethical and policy implications of these technologies from a broad range of perspectives.

Presents a rich range of perspectives on enhancement from world leading ethicists and scientists from Europe and North America.

The most comprehensive volume yet on the science and ethics of human enhancement

Unique in providing a detailed overview of current and expected scientific advances in this area.

Discusses both general conceptual and ethical issues and concrete questions of policy

Includes sections covering all major forms of enhancement: cognitive, affective, physical, and life extension

Human enhancement is one of the most exciting and troubling areas of recent scientific advance. It raises new and profound challenges relating to the human condition as well as giving rise to serious questions surrounding the limits and ethics of changing human nature.

This stimulating volume is the first to review the very latest scientific developments in human enhancement. It is unique in its examination of the ethical and policy implications of these technologies from a broad range of perspectives, including philosophy, the biological and neurosciences, and the social sciences. The book covers all major forms of human enhancement: cognitive, mood, physical, moral and life extension, as well as general conceptual and moral questions about enhancement.

Enhancing Human Capacities includes state of the art reviews of the science of enhancement from different perspectives, ethical discussion of key concepts and questions, and concrete policy applications. The book concludes with general discussions of the policy implications of biomedical enhancement in the EU and US contexts. All contributions are by world leading ethicists, neuroscientists and social scientists from Europe and North America.

Part III Mood Enhancement10. Scientific, Ethical, and Social Issues in Mood Enhancement: Ron Berghmans, Ruud ter Meulen, Andrea Malizia, and Rein Vos11. Reasons to Feel, Reasons to Take Pills: Guy Kahane12. Whatís in a Name? ADHD and the Gray Area between Treatment and Enhancement: Maartje Schermer and Ineke Bolt13. What is Good or Bad in Mood Enhancement?: Rein Vos14. Aspergerís Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder and the Relation between Mood, Cognition, and Well-Being: Laurens Landeweerd15. Is Mood Enhancement a Legitimate Goal of Medicine?: Bengt Brulde16. Cognitive Therapy and Positive Psychology Combined: A Promising Approach to the Enhancement of Happiness: Tony Hope17. After Prozac: S. Matthew Liao and Rebecca Roache

Part V Lifespan Extension25. Looking for the Fountain of Youth: Scientific, Ethical, and Social Issues in the Extension of Human Lifespan: Gaia Barazzetti26. Is Living Longer Living Better?: Larry Temkin27. Life Extension versus Replacement: Gustaf Arrhenius28. Lifespan Extension: Metaphysical Basis and Ethical Outcomes: Christine Overall29. Lifespan Extension and Personal Identity: Gaia Barazzetti and Massimo Reichlin30. Intergenerational Justice and Lifespan Extension: Roberto Mordacci31. The Value of Life Extension to Persons as Conatively Driven Processes: Steven Horrobin32. Enhancing Human Aging: The Cultural and Psychosocial Context of Lifespan Extension: John Bond33. Policy Making for a New Generation of Interventions in Age-Related Disease and Decline: Kenneth Howse

Part VII General Policy36. Of Nails and Hammers: Human Biological Enhancement and U.S. Policy Tools: Henry T. Greely37. The Politics of Human Enhancement and the European Union: Christopher Coenen, Mirjam Schuijff, and Martijntje Smits